Stranger Things Documentary Director Says Conformity Gate Is Wishful Thinking — And There’s No Secret Episode 9
Conformity Gate meets its reckoning today, with new findings that spell out what went wrong, who knew, and what changes now. We chart the fallout—and whether this is truly the last word.
Stranger Things is wrapping up, but we are not done peeking behind the curtain. A behind-the-scenes documentary is landing very soon to show how the fifth and final season came together. And yes, the doc is already brushing up against the fandom’s favorite recent rabbit hole: the so-called 'Conformity Gate' theory.
The doc: a last look under the hood
Documentarian Martina Radwan is steering the upcoming making-of project, which promises a proper look at how season 5 was built. It is a nice capper to the main show’s run, and it could not arrive at a better time, considering how much noise the finale sparked.
What 'Conformity Gate' actually claimed
In the run-up to and after the finale, a lot of fans convinced themselves there was a secret episode 9 on the horizon. The idea went like this: parts of the finale were supposedly an illusion laid by Vecna, and the real payoff would drop later as a surprise. It was a wild pitch that ended up overshadowing the actual ending for a chunk of the internet.
"I can’t confirm or deny anything, but no," Radwan told Gold Derby. "You know, you have to ask the Duffers. I can’t speak for them. But I wonder, is that wishful thinking, because people really want to get more? Like, they don’t want it to be over? Which I understand."
How the theory played out
- The claim: a secret episode 9 would reveal that part of the finale was a Vecna-crafted illusion.
- The date: January 7 became the big red circle on the calendar for the surprise drop.
- The reality: January 7 came and went with no hidden episode.
- The tease: Netflix’s much-hyped reveal that day was actually a 2026 trailer spotlighting the streamer’s upcoming releases.
- The outcome: with Radwan’s 'but no' and the non-event in January, the theory is effectively toast.
So, is this the end?
Season 5 closes the book on the main Stranger Things series, but the universe is not going into the Upside Down forever. An animated project titled 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' is on the way, and there is also a still-under-wraps spin-off in development. Translation: Hawkins may be done, but the brand is not.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for Radwan’s doc. Even if your pet theory did not pan out, getting a clear look at how the last season was built feels like the right way to say goodbye.